Formula Student Team Delft

What Formula Student Team Delft does

Formula Student Team Delft (FSTD) is a student-run engineering organization at Delft University of Technology that has designed, built, and raced electric Formula Student race cars since 1999. The team draws approximately 70 student engineers from across TU Delft faculties and 22 nationalities, structured into departments covering management, aerodynamics, chassis, drivetrain, powertrain, embedded systems, V&C, operations, and autonomous systems. It competes at prestigious international Formula Student events — including Formula Student Germany (FSG), Formula Student Netherlands (FSN), Formula Student East (FSEast), FS Czech, and Formula Student Austria — at venues such as Hockenheimring, Silverstone, and Red Bull Ring. The team has accumulated five consecutive FSG overall wins (2010-2015), set the all-time Formula Student acceleration record (2.999s for 75m at FSEast 2023), and recorded a 3rd-place overall finish at FSG 2025.

The team's technology stack is built around in-house design and manufacturing using Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform (CAD, FEM, electrical, project management). Proprietary subsystems include self-developed motor controllers (DC-to-AC conversion with in-house control logic), a bespoke in-wheel planetary gear drivetrain, custom carbon fiber rims produced in-house via aluminum negative molds (reducing unsprung mass by 2 kg), and a full-stack autonomous racing system developed in collaboration with MIT Driverless since 2019 — incorporating steering actuators, computing units, GPS, stereo cameras, and LiDAR. The autonomous program achieved the first-ever autonomous skidpad in Formula Student competition history on DUT25 (2025). Engineering output is supported by HPC and data-analysis tooling from Clustervision (TrinityX GPU clusters) and Marple.

FSTD's operating model is sponsorship- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. Income derives from multi-tier corporate partnerships (Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze) with 100+ companies, anchored by flagship partners Shell, ING, HMETC (Hyundai Motor Europe Technology Center), and Dassault Systèmes, plus institutional support from TU Delft, targeted crowdfunding campaigns for specific innovation projects (e.g., DUT26 carbon rims, aerodynamics, autonomous systems), and ancillary merchandise sales. No products are sold commercially — race cars are built solely for competition — and the organization operates as an educational project within the university framework with no disclosed revenue, valuation, or external equity investment.

Name

Formula Student Team Delft

Legal name

Formula Student Team Delft

Website

https://fsteamdelft.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Formula Student Team Delft is a student-run engineering team at Delft University of Technology that designs, builds, and races annual electric Formula Student cars in international competitions. A roster of ~70 engineers develops proprietary autonomous and powertrain technologies, funded by 100+ corporate sponsors including Shell, ING, HMETC, and Dassault Systèmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Motorsports Engineering

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (3361)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Teams & Entrants (Factory & Independent) (MPAKAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Motorsports Teams (F1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Rally, MotoGP, etc.) (MPAKABAB)

Keywords

• Electric race car engineering
• Formula Student competition
• Autonomous racing systems
• Student motorsport team
• Composite wheel manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Partnerships: The team operates primarily through corporate sponsorships and partnerships with companies across multiple tiers (Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze). Sponsors provide financial support, products, software, and services in exchange for branding exposure, recruitment access, and technology collaboration.
2. Crowdfunding: Direct crowdfunding campaigns to support specific innovation projects such as carbon rims, aerodynamics packages, and autonomous systems. Individual donors contribute to specific technical goals.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling team merchandise to supporters and fans.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Formula Student Team Delft is a student racing team at Delft University of Technology that designs, builds, and races electric Formula Student race cars at international competitions. Each year the team develops a new car generation (DUT22 through DUT26), incorporating in-house developed motor controllers, custom carbon fiber rims, bespoke planetary gear drivetrains, and, since 2019, autonomous driving capabilities developed with MIT Driverless. The cars are not sold; they are raced exclusively at Formula Student events as the team's engineering and educational showcase.

Product overview

Formula Student Team Delft is a student racing team that designs, builds, and races electric Formula Student cars at international competitions. Their primary products are purpose-built electric race cars (DUT22 through DUT26) and driverless variants (DUT20D). Each year represents a new car generation with increasing technological sophistication, including custom components like carbon fiber rims. The team competes at prestigious events including Formula Student Germany (FSG), Formula Student Netherlands (FSN), and Formula Student East (FSEast).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DUT26 Electric Race Car Latest generation electric Formula Student race car with advanced autonomous capabilities, custom carbon fiber wheels, and aerodynamic optimization; competes at international Formula Student events.
• DUT25 Electric Race Car Electric Formula Student race car that completed the first autonomous skidpad in team competition history and placed third overall at FSG.
• DUT24 Electric Race Car Electric Formula Student race car that placed fourth overall at FSG and achieved third place in acceleration at FSN; first DUT car in years to finish a full endurance at FSG.
• DUT23 Electric Race Car Record-setting electric Formula Student car that broke the 3-second barrier in acceleration (2.999s for 75m at FSEast) and won cost and manufacturing categories at FSG.
• DUT22 Electric Race Car Electric Formula Student race car achieving fastest acceleration at FSG with 0-100km/h in 1.8 seconds at FSN and podiums in 7 of 9 FSN events.
• DUT21 Electric Race Car Electric Formula Student race car with self-developed motor controllers that won the efficiency award at FSA and achieved 316 out of 325 points at FSN static events.
• DUT20D Driverless Race Car First driverless Formula Student car developed in collaboration with MIT Driverless, featuring autonomous steering actuators, stereo cameras, GPS, and LiDAR sensors.

Quantifiable outcome

• First car in Formula Student history to break 3-second barrier for 75m acceleration (2.999s at FSEAST 2023)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, gold and silver.

• MIT DriverlesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership since 2019 for autonomous vehicle development. Collaborated on developing first driverless car (DUT18d), replacing driver's eyes, brain, and hands with steering actuators, computing units, GPS, cameras, and LiDAR sensors. Continued collaboration in 2020 for autonomous system overhaul.
• ShellflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerShell is committed to delivering the energy of today and tomorrow in the Netherlands. Together, they want to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation in sustainable mobility and technical engineering. Listed as Main Partner and Platinum tier sponsor.
• HMETC (Hyundai Motor Europe Technology Center)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHMETC is the research centre of Hyundai. It is the pinnacle of innovation in the automotive industry. Together, they are aiming to push the boundaries of innovation.
• INGflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerING aims to empower people to stay a step ahead and to make a positive impact on people and the planet. ING enables the team to realize their vision of creating the engineers of tomorrow.
• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelft University of Technology is where team members learned the theoretical background required to design racecars. The university's faculties provide machinery used to produce cars and help outsource parts when necessary. Delft is their home.
• Dassault SystèmescoreTechnology or IntegrationDassault Systèmes provides CAD (Computer Aided Design) and FEM (Finite Element Method) software. 70 engineers work in tandem using these tools to construct one of the most competitive Formula Student machines. Team has used Dassault software since 2004 and 3DEXPERIENCE platform since 2016.
• Elmer RacingcoreTechnology or IntegrationState of the art racing engines, components and control electronics. Creators of the extremely high power-to-mass ratio Thor racing engine and capable XEMS control electronics package.
• SiemensgoldTechnology or IntegrationWorld's largest independent CFD focused provider of engineering simulation software. Their products help create aerodynamic packages for competitive Formula Student performance.
• KonigoldTechnology or IntegrationOver 50 years of experience manufacturing shock absorbers for trucks to Formula One cars. Dampers used on new car guaranteed to live up to highest quality and endurance standards.
• Hankamp GearsgoldTechnology or IntegrationSpecialized in high-quality gears for aviation to agriculture industries. Supplies durable, reliable gears for car's intricate transmission system.
• MelastagoldTechnology or IntegrationHigh-tech enterprise specializing in research and development, production, and marketing of rechargeable batteries. Provides high quality battery cells for the accumulator.
• AltiumgoldTechnology or IntegrationMultinational software corporation focusing on electronics design systems for 3D PCB design and embedded system development. Top-of-the-line PCB design software ensures cars can think as fast as they can drive.
• PretecgoldTechnology or IntegrationMachines precision parts for the team including moulds for rims, outer inserts for suspension, and pre-load rings for inner wheel.
• EurocircuitssilverTechnology or IntegrationSpecialist manufacturers of prototype- and small-batch PCBs. Enables development and production of custom PCBs keeping racers running on time and on budget.
• MaxonsilverTechnology or IntegrationProvides precision motors and drive systems for high-performance applications.
• AlgecogoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal market leader in modular construction. Provides housing solution serving as both office and clean room for chassis lamination during production.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Monash Motorsport (Monash University): Australia's top Formula Student team from Monash University. Comparable to FSTD as a leading non-EU university program competing internationally in Formula Student electric and driverless classes.
• KA-RaceIng (KIT Karlsruhe): Formula Student team at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, a consistent FSG front-runner. Comparable to FSTD as a German/European university team competing in the same Formula Student classes with electric and driverless vehicles.
• MIT Driverless: MIT's autonomous Formula Student team and FSTD's direct collaboration partner since 2019. Highly comparable as a top-tier university program focused specifically on autonomous racing, sharing technology development with FSTD.
• AMZ Racing (ETH Zurich): ETH Zurich's Formula Student team and one of the most decorated programs globally. Directly comparable to FSTD as a top-tier university team designing and racing electric, autonomous Formula Student cars at FSG and other international events.
• TUM Racing (TU Munich): Technical University of Munich's Formula Student team. Direct peer to FSTD in the same competition circuit, designing combustion, electric, and driverless race cars and competing at FSG, FSN, and other FS events.
• GreenTeam (University of Stuttgart): University of Stuttgart's Formula Student team with a long history in electric and driverless racing. Comparable to FSTD as a leading German university program operating in the same Formula Student categories.

Others

• Formula Student Germany (FSG): Organizer of the Formula Student Germany competition at Hockenheimring, where FSTD has competed and won multiple times. Not a competitor but the central event operator in FSTD's competition ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Hyundai Motorsport: Hyundai's factory motorsport division competing in WRC, WEC, and TCR. Parent organization of FSTD's flagship partner HMETC, providing a comparable motorsport engineering context but at a vastly larger commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/fsteamdelft
• Xx.com/fs_team_delft
• Facebookfacebook.com/FSteamDelft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fsteamdelft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Formula Student Team Delft